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The apartment was quiet when Fraser stepped into the doorway.
He kept the door partially open, breath held in his throat, before he heard familiar breathing and exhaled. His mate.
His mate clearly asleep, that is.
He was forced to abandon him earlier that morning in favour of going to morning skate, which Connor was decidedly displeased about.
”Where ‘ya goin’?” He had mumbled sleepily as Fraser left their cozy nest that morning, awoken by the loss of heat from his Alpha.
”Just practice baby, go back to sleep,” Fraser cooed at him, brushing lone strands of dark, sandy hair from Connor's forehead and batting away grabby hands reaching out for him.
Normally they would’ve attended together, a perk of being on the same team after Fraser’s trade two years prior, but, as Connor was frequently reminded, pregnant Omegas are supposed to stay home and actually rest for gods sake Connor are you serious?
He got away with attending practice until he was around 2 months pregnant before the doctor put his foot down and Faser began having…incidents surrounding teammates who got too close to his pregnant mate. Then he attended in a no-contact jersey and stuck to his own part of the ice, which was better, but still a distraction.
Watching him change in the room got increasingly harder and harder for Fraser to bear. Seeing him strip and noticing the extra fat gained from decreased exercise and the increased circumference of his stomach was doing something to Fraser. Connor’s rounded tummy was emphasized by the tight undergarments he still wore, despite Fraser having to help him into the pants as the days went on. His thighs were as thick as always and god his ass looked more tempting than ever. What really became a problem were Connor's breasts. Perky and so, so, inviting. Connor finally called it quits after he could no longer bend over to tie his own skates, and even waddling around the room before practice left him winded and snappy.
Fraser does find it a little surprising that Connor gave up a year of hockey, gave it up for them, but despite Connor's whining and general brattiness around his hiatus, he sees the genuine joy in his Omega’s eyes when he catches his pregnant belly in the mirror. Fraser has caught him caressing his stomach, murmuring sweet nothings only for him and the baby to hear. He also remembers the look in Connor’s eyes watching the pregnant wives of other players. Frankie’s baby was the deciding point, Fraser thinks. Being named the baby’s godfather was special enough, but holding the baby of his best friend was priceless. After a few shed tears between the both of them, when they got back to their apartment that night Connor practically leapt into his arms, pulling him into a bruising yet tender kiss, one that was so, so, Connor.
Gasping as they broke apart, Connor had looked up at him through dark lashes and murmured, give me a baby, Alpha, and that had been that.
Now though, stepping into the mostly-quiet of their shared apartment, Fraser can’t believe he ever doubted his mate. It just all felt so right. He couldn’t wait for the day he held his pups in his arms, cooing out oh, they have your nose and hearing yeah, but they have your curls. Connor was now 8 months along, pretty heavily pregnant, and the Blackhawks season had wrapped up a few weeks prior. They were pretty much screwed without their captain and best player, but none of the guys seemed to mind after they revealed Connor’s pregnancy.
Fraser delicately took off his shoes and tiptoed around the couch, where he presumed his Omega to be. Connor didn’t really like sleeping in their nest without him, despite how large and extra cozy they’ve made it over the last few months.
Sure enough, there he was dozing away. Getting a look at his mate caused his heart to swell so completely he felt dizzy with it.
Connor had somehow managed to commandeer nearly the entire couch despite insisting every time that he “wasn’t taking up that much room.” One leg was tucked beneath him while the other hung lazily over the edge of the cushions, a thick knit blanket draped lazily across his lower legs. The nest they’d painstakingly built together sat only a few feet away, pristine and untouched in their bedroom.
The television had long since gone dark, leaving only the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the building settling around them. Connor remained sleeping, one hand curled beneath his cheek while the other rested atop the curve of his stomach. The last light of the morning was shining on Connor through the window, basking him in a soft pale light. It highlighted his hair, definitely brown now, but in the bright beams of the sun Fraser can see the hints of his formerly brilliant blond. Fraser reached out on instinct before stopping himself just short of touching him. He didn’t want to wake him. His dark lashes fanned across his rounded and blushed cheeks, and Fraser wished he could see his Omega’s eyes. He still doesn’t know how Connor can make ice blue look so warm.
Despite the previous morning chill having faded away to afternoon sun, Connor was still curled up in a crewneck sweater that cut off perfectly right above his belly button. Fraser’s crewneck sweater. Maybe it was creepy, how hard Fraser was staring at his mates stomach, but the Alpha felt like he could hardly be blamed. Connor’s breathing came slow and even, his lips parted just enough to let out the occasional quiet sigh. Every few breaths his nose twitched, and Fraser had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from audibly cooing.
As though sensing his Alpha nearby, Connor shifted. His fingers flexed against the swell of his belly, rubbing absent-minded circles over the stretched fabric of Fraser’s old Bruins hoodie. A tiny bump pushed back beneath his palm.
Fraser felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“Hey there,” he whispered so quietly the words were practically swallowed by Connor’s quiet snoring. Another little kick answered him. He couldn’t help the adoring grin that spread across his face.
“Yeah?” he murmured. “Giving your mama trouble while I’m gone?”
Connor only let out a sleepy little hum, leaning unconsciously toward the sound of Fraser’s voice without even opening his eyes.
Losing the battle against awakening his mate, Fraser reached out a gentle hand to rub over where the kicking was. “Hi pup,” Fraser whispered quietly, “I love you so much honey. I’m so ready to meet you.” He didn't care how cheesy it was because it was the truest thing he had ever spoken.
He heard a confused and sleepy noise, and raised his eyes to look at his Omega. Connors bright blue eyes peered back at him, his sleepy gaze wandering to where Fraser’s hand rested atop his belly. He raised a hand to rub the remainder of his nap from his eyes.
“Frase? How was practice?” Connor said around a yawn, leaning back into a stretch.
“Morning sweetheart,” Fraser said teasingly. “Practice was good. Mostly conditioning.”
Connor hummed at that. Fraser knew that Connor’s mind was about to spin with what the team needed to work on, potential drills and plays to run flowing through his sleepy mind. Fraser could fix that. He crouched beside the couch, brushing a featherlight kiss against Connor’s temple before letting his fingers comb gently through his hair.
Connor’s eyes drooped almost immediately.
“Mm…”
With closing eyes, he leaned into the touch, nuzzling against Fraser’s hand with a sleepy little sigh that melted something deep inside his chest. “Missed you,” he murmured.
“I missed you too, Con.” Fraser replied, a sweet smile on his face watching his adorable mate.
“‘Kay, now c’mere,” Connor whined, making grabby hands at Fraser.
Fraser laughed, cutting through the quiet stillness of the apartment.
“Whatever you want, baby.”